According to reports, following the violent Galwan clash between Indian and Chinese forces at Pangong Tso, China is intensifying its military infrastructure, including the construction of new bridges. Meanwhile, India is also bolstering its defenses by building a black-topped road on the north bank of the lake.

In 2020, a comprehensive examination of the military infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) has compelled the Indian establishment to intensify its infrastructure development efforts with a sense of urgency resembling wartime preparations. India undertook a significant infrastructure project along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to accommodate over 50,000 troops and enhance its military presence.

China's military deployment towards contested patrolling points on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) prompted India to adjust its strategy. India is constructing a road towards Finger 4, where its previous command extended to Finger 8, before Chinese troops violated the arrangement in 2020, resulting in the Galwan clashes.

The north bank of Pangong Tso, spanning approximately 135 km, is a significant area in the region. The Pangong Lake, situated at an altitude of nearly 4,350m, is the world's highest saltwater lake, with approximately 45 kilometers falling on the Indian side of the LAC.

The ongoing construction of the road towards Finger 4 is considered a complex engineering feat, navigating treacherous mountain terrain to facilitate the transportation of military equipment. According to officials, this blacktopped road will provide the Indian army with an alternative route to the Darbuk-Skyok-Daulat Beg Oldie Road via Saser La.

The project will connect Sassoma along the Nubra River to Sasser La and Gapshan, ultimately linking to the main 255-km long Durbuk-Shyok-DBO road along the LAC.

The Border Roads Organization (BRO), a key Indian defense entity, is spearheading the strategic infrastructure development along the LAC. In the eastern sector alone, the BRO is focused on completing crucial projects such as the Sela, Nechipu, and Sela-Chhabrela tunnels, among other strategic passes.

As per the official data, the strategic roadmap of the India-China Border Roads (ICBR) initiative aims to construct over 1,400 km of strategic roads along the 3,488 km-long LAC in three phases. The BRO has already completed 19 infrastructure projects in Ladakh in 2021 and 26 projects in 2022, with plans to complete 54 projects this year.

The final phase of the ICBR project is concentrated in Arunachal Pradesh, where the BRO has established repair points (FRPs) along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). These FRPs play a crucial role in ensuring efficient maintenance and repair of military equipment in the region. Arunachal Pradesh shares 1,129 km of the total 3,488 km-long Sino-Indian border.

According to reports, China has constructed a bridge over Pangong Lake, linking the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA)'s Rutog military garrison to mountain ridges. Additionally, in the Depsang plains region, Chinese military garrisons have been established, strategically positioned to overlook Indian military posts and patrolling activities. China has also expanded its connectivity efforts, reportedly building a 22 km-long tunnel along the G-0177 expressway at Yuli, connecting to the G-216 highway in Tibet. Furthermore, an air defense site has been set up east of the Khurnak Fort.

Despite holding 18 rounds of military talks and 27 meetings of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC), friction points persist in the Depsang Plains and Demchok areas regarding patrolling rights. Indian army's patrolling in these regions was restricted following the Galwan clash.

The 18th round of talks, held at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point, reached a deadlock over the 972 sq km Depsang plateau. The primary issues revolve around troop positions and patrolling rights, with the PLA unilaterally attempting to block the area previously patrolled by the Indian army.

Image source: Reuters